Deaconess Sophie Miller, founder of a home in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles for widows of members of the clergy, which evolved into Episcopal Communities & Services, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
O God of love, we bless you for calling and equipping the deaconesses of The Episcopal Church, who, before the Church had faced up to the historic injustices of gender and identification inequity, nevertheless unstintingly served your people at risk or in need, at home and throughout the world. With grateful hearts we honor their hard work, perseverance, and leadership in following Jesus into places of suffering or hardship, injustice or un-championed hope. May we, like them, bear the light of Christ to all people with humility and grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayer (revised)